How do I overwinter my Waterlilies?Weekly Ribbit: Pond Tip#16

How do I overwinter my Waterlilies?​​Long Valley- Morris County NJ

Hardy water lilies stop producing leaves that grow to the surface of the pond and start producing leaves that grow only a few inches high. To over-winter hardy water lilies, trim off the mature leaves a few inches above the crown and drop the pot to the lowest depth of the pond.

Tropical water lilies will flower up to and past the first light frost as they have no idea what winter is and no need to prepare for it. Tropical water lilies can be over-wintered indoors in water over 50 degrees F, or they can be taken out of the pot and stored in moist sand. The warm water method isn't practical for most, and success with the moist sand method is variable, usually ending in the loss of the tuber to mold or rot. Botanical gardens with trained horticulturists expect to lose many of the tropical water lilies they store every winter. Start over each year as you do with your terrestrial annuals.